Ad Limina Visit of the Bishops of Greece

On 27 November 2024, the Bishops of Greece came to our Dicastery, presenting the reality of a small but significant nucleus of consecrated men and women working in a country with an Orthodox majority.

At present, Greece has 21 Institutes of Consecrated Life, including two Contemplative Orders, with a total of 127 consecrated men and women serving the four Latin Rite dioceses and one Byzantine Rite diocese, with a presence especially attentive to the needs of the most vulnerable, especially migrants and refugees.

During the meeting, they were able to dialogue together with Cardinal João Braz De Aviz, Prefect of the Dicastery, Secretary Sr. Simona Brambilla, MC, Undersecretaries and Office Heads who were present.

Challenges and hopes

Some difficulties were shared, such as the decrease in vocations and the advanced age of the members of Institutes, but the strength of daily witness and the vibrancy of some new ecclesial realities were emphasized. The desire for greater collaboration among consecrated persons, laity and bishops, to strengthen the common mission in a complex context, was reaffirmed. Consecrated life in Greece, offering a significant presence and valuable service to the Church and society, remains a sign of hope and dedication to every person.